Ssangmun-dong Restaurant, Jo Yeon-chul is the perfect spot to enjoy a hearty clam hot pot, filled with fresh seafood all year round. Whether it’s summer or winter, there’s nothing quite like the rich broth and the delightful combination of clams and seafood that make this place a must-visit. Recently, my boyfriend and I stopped by this cozy Ssangmun-dong hotspot, and I have to say, the portions and quality were exceptional, especially considering the reasonable prices.
As a food blogger, let me introduce a fantastic place in Seoul: “Ssangmun-dong Restaurant: Jo Yeon-chul” — a seafood restaurant known for its rich broth and fresh shellfish, perfect for any season.
The season for oysters has returned, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a warm bowl of shellfish hotpot with a drink or two.
Shellfish is a delicacy that is delicious in summer, autumn, and especially winter. During the colder months, nothing beats a piping hot shellfish hotpot. Recently, I visited Jo Yeon-chul, a must-try shellfish hotpot restaurant in Ssangmun-dong, with my boyfriend, and I was thoroughly impressed by the flavors, quality, and price.
This place could easily become the next big local gem for people in the area. While it might not be the most accessible spot for those outside Ssangmun-dong or Banghak-dong, it’s a perfect recommendation for anyone nearby. I predict it will become a favorite spot soon.
Overview, Ssangmun-dong Restaurant, Jo Yeon-chul
Operating Hours: Daily: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Parking in the area isn’t the easiest, but after some searching on the parking app “Everyone’s Parking,” I ended up finding a spot at the Dobong Senior Welfare Center, just a minute away from the restaurant.
I arrived around 3:30 PM, just between lunch and dinner hours, and was greeted by a delivery of fresh shellfish, straight from the truck to the tanks—promising the freshest ingredients.
Interior of Ssangmun-dong Restaurant, Jo Yeon-chul
The interior is cozy and practical—just what you’d expect from a local hidden gem. It’s clean, comfortable, and perfect for a meal or a casual drink with friends. Even at an off-hour, there were quite a few patrons enjoying a midday drink.
Menu
Jo Yeon-chul is known for its signature dish, shellfish hotpot and salmon sashimi, but they offer much more. From cockle steamed dishes to the option of adding octopus, abalone, or beef to your hotpot, there’s plenty to enjoy here. The prices are reasonable, making it the perfect spot for friends to gather and share drinks and food.
We opted for the small shellfish hotpot (₩47,000) and a plate of fresh oysters (₩12,000), along with a bottle of soju and Terra beer (₩5,000 each).
Taste Experience at Ssangmun-dong Restaurant, Jo Yeon-chul
Each table is well-equipped with all the utensils, sauces, and condiments you’ll need, with everything neatly labeled for easy use. After setting up, we poured our drinks and got ready for the meal.
There’s even a helpful guide on how to enjoy the hotpot right on the table. This attention to detail made the experience even better. Then, our so-called “small” hotpot arrived—it was anything but small!
The broth, made from over 15 ingredients, was packed with an abundance of shellfish and seafood. The array included crab, octopus, abalone, scallops, pen shells, clams, shrimp, fish cakes, and even cheese. Everything was fresh and lively, making it a joy to eat.
I first went for the shellfish, pulling one out and dipping it into the rich broth for extra flavor. The taste was divine. Shortly after, our plate of oysters arrived.
Eating seasonal oysters is always a treat. I prepped mine with soy sauce, garlic, and a bit of pepper, and it was heavenly.
As we enjoyed our meal, the restaurant surprised us with a complimentary serving of beef for shabu-shabu, which was incredibly tender and flavorful. Paired with the hotpot’s rich broth, it was the perfect addition.
We refilled the broth three times and considered adding noodles for a final course, but we were too full. However, I’m confident that the hotpot broth would have made for an amazing noodle dish as well.
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Final Thoughts
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the restaurant’s exterior on my way out. This is definitely one of those local spots you wish you could keep to yourself, but it’s too good not to share.
If you’re in Ssangmun-dong, Banghak-dong, or nearby areas and craving seafood in a warm, flavorful broth with a drink in hand, you need to visit Jo Yeon-chul. The portions are generous, the food is top-notch, and the hospitality is unmatched.
It’s the perfect spot to enjoy shellfish hotpot, and with the chef’s generous hand, you’ll leave wondering how they make a profit with such a value-packed meal!